Presentation of trophies brings Rolex Sydney Hobart to a close

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race came to a conclusion on January 1 at the Royal Club of Tasmania, where the Official Prize Giving took place.

Welcoming guests, including His
Excellency, The Honourable Peter Underwood, A.O., Governor of
Tasmania, Vice Commodore Richard Batt from Royal Yacht Club of
Tasmania said: "We're very honoured to be involved in this great
race. I'd like to thank the efforts of all tireless volunteers and
all competitors and contributors.

His Excellency responded: "The 68th Rolex Sydney
Hobart has been run. What a fantastic time for Wild Oats
XI. We congratulate Mark Richards and his crew - they will be
hard to beat.

"This summer classic has become an icon of sport. Competitors
come from all over Australia and overseas. No other start of a race
is more magnificent and there's no bigger welcome than in
Tasmania."

His Excellency presented trophies. Firstly to
Ragamuffin-Loyal, which received the CYCA Trophy for being
second over the line

The Rani Trophy went to Chutzpah (Bruce Taylor) for
most meritorious performance as judged by the race committee for
outstanding assistance to JBW with Radio Skeds.

Everyone who has sailed in Queensland waters knows 'Sir Robbo',
often described as a "legend in his own lifetime," hence the name
of his latest of many, many yachts over a lifetime of sailing.

Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Commodore Howard Piggott was
called on to present trophies. "This year the Rolex Sydney Hobart
has lived up to its reputation.Wild Oats XI and
Ragamuffin-Loyal gave us a great line honours race.
Wild Oats XI is a remarkable yacht with a remarkable crew.
This is the second time it has won the trifecta," he said.

Commodore Piggott went on to thank Rolex Australia for the
prestige it gives the race. He also thanked, among others, John
Winning for loaning the JBW as the Radio Relay Vessel
again and to the crew who run the boat, including the man in
charge, David Kellett.

"I also thank all competitors for taking part, particularly
those who have come from overseas; Japan, Lithuania, France and New
Zealand," he said.

First IRC Division 2 for the Peter Allsop Memorial Trophy and
Replica went to Occasional Coarse Language Too (Warwick
Sherman). A veteran of 18 years of ocean racing, this has been the
first Rolex Sydney Hobart for Sherman - and a winning debut at
that, with his latest boat called Occasional Coarse Language
Too.

First ORCi Division 1 - Charleston Trophy went to Black
Jack (Peter Harburg). The Queensland maxi, Black
Jack, was named after owner Peter Harburg's friend Jack
Brabham. The trophy commemorates the crew of the Tasmanian yacht
Charleston, which disappeared without trace on a delivery voyage
north for the 1979 Sydney Hobart Race.

Second IRC Division O for the CYCA Trophy also went to Black
Jack, as did the Third Overall IRC - the RYCT Trophy and
Replica and Storm Bay Cup and Replica.

First PHS Division 2 - CYCA Trophy went to She (Peter
Rodgers). This Division victory climaxes a most successful season
for this well sailed Olsen 40.

The CYCA Cape Byron Series ORCi pointscore of long offshore
races went to Celestial Assistance Dogs (Sam Haynes).

Third IRC Division 1 - CYCA Trophy goes to Quest (Bob
Steel), while third IRC Division 4 went to Enchantress
(John Muirhead) from South Australia. Third ORCi Division 3 also
went to Enchantress.

Second IRC Division 2 for the CYCA Trophy goes to AFR
Midnight Rambler (Ed Psaltis/Bob Thomas/Michael Bencsik). The
trio also receive third ORCi Division 2 and the CYCA Trophy.

Third Over the Line for the CYCA Trophy went to Lahana
(Peter Millard and John Honan).

Second PHS Division 2 for the CYCA Trophy went to Flying
Fish Arctos (Flying Fish Online).

Second ORCi Division 2 for the CYCA Trophy went to Peugeot
Surfrider (Nicolas Lunven), which also received third IRC
Division 3 for the CYCA Trophy.

First IRC Division 1 for the George Barton Trophy and Replica
and the CYCA Trophy went toLoki(Stephen Ainsworth), along with
second Overall IRC for the City of Hobart Trophy and Replica, Bass
Strait Cup and Replica, Solo Trophy and Replica and CYCA
Trophy.

Loki was also announced winner of the CYCA Blue Water
Pointscore for the CYCA Trophy

Last year's winner of the Tattersalls Cup, Loki has
again proved her consistency and worth to be winner of this
division of grand prix racers. She has also won the CYCA's Blue
Water Pointscore, which culminated for the second time with Rolex
Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, for which Loki was awarded the
RORC Trophy and Replica.

Second ORCi Division 1 for the CYCA Trophy went to Jazz
(Chris Bull), which also was awarded third IRC Division O for the
CYCA Trophy.

Second IRC Division 3 for the CYCA Trophy went to
Brannew (Chris Bran).

For Yacht Travelling from the Furthest Port to Compete, the
Polish Trophy goes to Ambersail (Simonas Steponavicius).
This trophy was donated by the crew of the first Polish yacht to
contest the Sydney Hobart Race many years ago. It is appropriate
that the winners this year come from the nearby country of
Lithuania, also competing in their first Sydney Hobart.

First Yacht Under 9.5m Across the Finishing Line for the Plum
Crazy Trophy goes to Maluka of Kermandie(Sean
Langman).

First Yacht Under 18.5 m across the Finishing Line for the
Apollo Trophy goes to Calm(Jason Van der Slot/Graeme
Ainley/John Williams), which also was second IRC Division 1,
receiving the CYCA Trophy. Calm also received the CYCA
Trophy for third ORCi Division 1.

Patrick Boutellier, General Manager, Rolex Australia, was called
on to present trophies. "Rolex has many events around the world. I
am very proud to be here again; this race is one of the jewels in
our crown. It would not be what it is without the sailors and the
clubs. I am very glad to see every one arrived here safely," he
said.

"We are very proud to be associated with the Rolex Sydney Hobart
for 10 years now - and for many, many, years to come," he said.

First ORCi Division 2 for the Tasports Trophy went to
Celestial Assistance Dogs (Sam Haynes), which also placed
Third IRC Division 2 for the CYCA Trophy. This Division victory
climaxes a most successful season for this well sailed Rodgers 46,
as she has also won the CYCA Cape Byron Series PHS pointscore of
long offshore races.

These placings more than made up for the disappointment Haynes
felt after breakages stopped him finishing the previous two Rolex
Sydney Hobart Yacht Races.

The 40 Year Medallion goes to Lindsay May. The well-known
navigator's first race was on Onya of Gosford in 1973 and
he has sailed 40 consecutive races. This is a remarkable
achievement and includes one line honours win on
Brindabella in 1997, and three overall wins on Indian
Pacific (1984), Atara (1991), and Love &
War, which he skippered in 2006 and navigated in this year's
race. Lindsay says he has never seen any of his children on
the 27th of December in each year!

25 Year Medallions went to:

Jim Holley did his first race in 1986 on Newcastle
Flyer and has done the last 16 races on his Farr 40
One-Off,Aurora.

Steve Jarvin first race in 1981 on Smuggler, 11 line
honours wins on Apollo, Condor, Alfa Romeo and
Wild Oats XI. He has also had two overall wins aboard
Wild Oats XI, in 2005 and this year, 2012.

Bob Thomas sailed his first race in 1988 on East of the
Lizard, he was the overall winner in 1998 on AFR Midnight
Rambler (no. 2) and sailed this year's race on AFR
Midnight Rambler no IV.

Navigator of First Tasmanian Yacht on Corrected Time for the
City of Hobart Trophy goes to Phil Brassington (Cougar
II).

Without question,Wild Oats XI is one of the fastest
ocean racing yachts in the world and we hear that owner Bob Oatley
is already planning further modifications aimed at achieving her
seventh line honours victory in 2013 - with an even faster time
than her latest bench mark of 1 day 18 hours 23 minutes and 12
seconds.

For Line Honours, Wild Oats XI receives the J. H.
Illingworth Trophy and Replica. The Rolex Yacht-Master timepiece
was presented by Patrick Boutellier

First Yacht Due South of Tasman Island for the F & J
Livingstone and Replica also goes to Wild Oats XI (Bob
Oatley), which was also First Yacht Out of Sydney Heads and
receives the Jack Rooklyn Memorial Trophy and Replica.

Designer of Winning Yacht for the Alan Payne Memorial Trophy and
Replica goes to Reichel/Pugh.

First IRC Division O for CYCA Trophy was also won by Wild
Oats XI (Bob Oatley) which also received the Rushcutter Trophy
and Replica.

Overall Winner - First IRC for the Tattersalls Cup and Replica
goes to Wild Oats XI (Bob Oatley) with the CYCA
Trophy.

RORC Plaque and Replica, Government of Tasmania Trophy and
Replica and Rolex Yacht-Master timepiece for line honours and
overall winner -Wild Oats XI.

In accepting Wild Oats XI's trophies and the Rolex
Yacht-Master timepieces, crew member John Hildebrand said: "I bring
apologies from Bob Oatley and Mark Richards, who congratulate the
Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania
for hosting an awesome event.

"We sincerely thank Rolex which raises the profile and legendary
status of the race.

"This year the weather was obviously good for us - sadly for the
smaller boats. We recognise that the whole race is about every crew
member of every yacht - small and big. It's not just about winning;
it's a big achievement just to finish this race," finished
Hildebrand who vowed "Wild Oats XI will be back next year
- Bob and Sandy (Oatley) are emphatic about that."

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race merchandise now available online

The 2014 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race official licensed merchandise designed by MUSTO is now available for sale to purchase exclusively through the CYCA Online Shop or by visiting the clubhouse at Rushcutters Bay.

You'll find the entire range of men's and women's Rolex Sydney Hobart merchandise online, together with the seasonal CYCA range of clothing.

These items are not available through clothing retailers.

We deliver worldwide!

A Great Christmas Gift and a must have for yachting enthusiasts, Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race competitors, club members and supporters.